Medical Laboratory Journal

Role of Homocysteine in Diseases: A Review

Hamidreza Joshaghani

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of mortality worldwide. Several risk factors have been proposed to be associated with CVD. The main risk factors include family history, smoking, hypertension, history of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity. However, new factors have been recently proposed to be associated with CVD. These include blood homocysteine, fibrinogen, plasma factor VII activity, lipoprotein (a) and several other factors. Nowadays, the role of homocysteine in the development and exacerbation of several diseases has been demonstrated. Extensive studies have been performed on the role of homocysteine in diabetes, preeclampsia, depression, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Homocysteine level increases with age. Moreover, absorption of micronutrients, especially vitamin B12, decreases in old age that could cause a further increase in homocysteine level. On the other hand, elasticity of blood vessels decline with aging, and increased levels of homocysteine accelerate atherosclerosis. The sum of these processes highlights the role of homocysteine in the development and exacerbation of several diseases.

Keywords: Homocysteine, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Preeclampsia, Depression, Alzheimer's Disease.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Urtica dioica L. Leaf Ethanolic Extract Using Agar Well Diffusion and Disc Diffusion Methods

Hanieh Bagheri

Background and Objective: Nowadays, incidence of antibiotic-resistance among pathogenic bacteria has increased due to indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs for treatment of diseases, especially urinary tract infections. Medicinal plants are also of great importance as antibacterial agents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial effect of ethanolic extract of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves using two methods of disk diffusion and well diffusion.

Methods: Ethanolic extract of nettle leaves was prepared by the percolation method. Effect of different concentrations of the extract on Escherichia coli (PTCC1399), Staphylococcus aureus (PTCC 1431), Staphylococcus epidermidis (PTCC 1435) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (PTCC1440) was evaluated using the disk diffusion and well diffusion methods by measuring diameter of growth inhibition zone. Gentamicin and propylene glycol were used as positive and negative control, respectively.

Results: In both methods, especially in the well diffusion, the ethanolic extract of nettle leaves had favorable inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus. In the well diffusion method, the highest rate of susceptibility to the extract (89%) was related to S. saprophyticus and S. epidermidis.

Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of nettle leaf has good inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus (especially in the well diffusion method), which confirms the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of urinary tract infections.

Keywords: Antibacterial Effect, Staphylococcus, E. Coli, Ethanolic Extract, Nettle (Urtica dioica L.).

Impact of Ionizing Radiation on the Expression of CDC25A Phosphatase (in vivo)

Seyed Hossein Sadeghi

Background and Objective: The cell division cycle 25 (CDC25)is a familyof highly conserved dual-specificity phosphatases that activate cyclin-dependent kinase complexes. These complexes are the main cell cycle regulators. Mammalian cells ,exposure to DNA damaging radiations such as ionizing radiation and ultraviolet light, prevent cell cycle progression by activation of checkpoint pathways and lead to cell death.

Methods: In this study, mice were exposed to different doses of ionizing radiation. Their total cellular protein was extracted from the bone marrow. After determining and matching the protein concentrations, CDC25A phosphatase levels were measured by western blotting.

Results: The results showed that exposure to different doses of ionizing radiation in vivo significantly increased the expression of CDC25A compared to control group (P <0.05).

Conclusion: Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the expression of CDC25A phosphatase, which increases the possibility of tumorigenesis in that area by increasing bone marrow cell proliferation.

Keywords: Cell Cycle, CDC25A, Ionizing Radiation, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase.

Epidemiologic Study of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission in Lorestan Province (2011-14)

Zia Obeidavi

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate epidemiology of risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, and determine the association of its genotypes with viral load and response to treatment in patients referred to the Infectious Disease Clinic of Khorramabad.

Methods: The study included patients infected with hepatitis C referred to the Infectious Disease Clinic of Khorramabad during 2011-14. Those who met the inclusion criteria were referred to counseling centers for risky behaviors. After collecting demographic and epidemiologic data on the modes of transmission, blood samples were collected for more accurate testing. The erum of patients with hepatitis C was evaluated in terms of HCV genotype and viral load using PCR.

Results: Among 120 patients studied, 102 (85%) were male and 18 (15%) were female. The most prevalent genotypes were 3a (63.8%), 1a (25%), 1a/1b (5.2%) and 2 (1.7%). Intravenous drug abuse was the main route of transmission of hepatitis C in the study. The genotypes 3a and 1a had a clear correlation with intravenous drug abuse and history of blood transfusion (P<0.05). It was also found that the patients with genotype 3a show a better initial response to treatment with interferon.

Conclusion: The study shows that intravenous drug abuse is the main route of transmission, which highlights the need for intervention and education in this group of patients to prevent disease transmission.

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Genotype, Intravenous Drug Abuse, HIV, Interferon.

Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Restoration of Soleus and Gastrocnemius Muscles Microcirculations in Wistar Rats with Chronic Heart Failure

Farzad Nazem

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Scientific evidence reveals that the density of skeletal muscle microcirculations decreases in the patients with chronic heart failure. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of submaximal aerobic exercise training on restoration of fast/slow-twitch muscle fibers microcirculation in rats with myocardial infarction.

Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male infarcted Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of sham (N=10), control (N=10) and exercise (N=10), four weeks after surgery (blockage of anterior descending artery). Daily aerobic exercise included running on a treadmill for 10 weeks (5 times a week) at a speed of 17 m/min within 10 to 50 minutes. The animals were anesthetized and then sacrificed with chloroform, 48 hours after the last training session. The microcirculation density of soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (Gw) muscles was evaluated by immunohistochemistry assay.

Results: Capillary density and capillary to SOL muscle fiber ratio significantly increased in response to exercise training. However, capillary density, capillary to Gw muscle fiber ratio and Gw muscle arteriolar density of Wistar rats with chronic heart failure were not significantly affected by the exercise program. Moreover, arteriolar density of Gw muscle increased significantly after the exercise program.

Conclusion: The ten-week aerobic exercise might non-uniformly improve the SOL and Gw muscles microcirculation in rats with chronic heart failure by increasing capillary density and capillary to fiber ratio in the SOL muscle and increasing the arteriolar density of the Gw muscle.

Keywords: Heart Failure, Angiogenesis, Exercise.

Impact of Lactic Acid on Formation of Biogenic Amines in Common Carp

Saeid Khanzadi

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Raw fish is a highly perishable product that deteriorates due to chemical changes and microbial growth. Biogenic amines (BAs) are generated in course of bacterial spoilage in fish that may lead to BA toxicity, particularly in adverse storage conditions. The purpose of this study was to prevent the BAs toxicity caused by common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Methods: Live Common carps were purchased from a local market. The samples were first divided into control and lactic acid treatment groups, and then stored at 4 C. the concentrations of three BAs were determined (histamine, putrescine and cadaverine) with high performance liquid chromatography equipped with UV detector.

Results: Cadaverine and putrescine had the highest concentrations in control group (400.42 and 293.90 mg/kg, respectively). Histamine remained undetectable until the middle of storage period. Histamine and cadaverine concentrations in the lactic acid group were significantly lower compared to that of control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The formation of histamine and cadaverine is effectively controlled by lactic acid treatment, although such effect was not observed on putrescine in the entire storage period.

Keywords: Biogenic Amines, Toxicity, Carps, Histamine.

Effects of Methanolic Extract of Arctium lappa Root on Promastigotes and Amastigotes of Leishmania major (in vitro)

Mansour Dabirzadeh

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Leishmania major is a flagellate protozoan parasite causing cutaneous leishmaniasis. Although pentavalent antimony compounds are the first-line drugs for leishmaniasis, their application is often accompanied by numerous limitations and side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to seek drugs of herbal origin that have fast-acting benefits and few side effects without resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of methanolic extract of Arctiul lappa root on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major.

Methods: This experimental study evaluated the effects of 10, 100, 500, and 1000 µg/ml of A. lappa root methanol extract on L. major promastigotes using direct cell counting and MTT assay. The mean number of amastigotes in infected macrophages was calculated after 24 and 48 hours.

Results: The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of A. lappa root methanolic extract was 131.25 µg/ml after 24 hours. The mean number of amastigotes in macrophages after 24 hours in the control group and in the A. lappa group with concentrations of 500 and 1000 µg/ml were 3.52, 2.02, and 1.27, respectively.

Conclusion: The results show that the methanolic extract of A. lappa root has anti-leishmanial effects on the promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major in vitro.

Keywords: Leishmania Major, Amastigotes, Promastigotes, Arctium.

Age-Related Changes in Doxorubicin-Induced Oxidative Damage: Protective and Pretreatment Effects of Short-Term Aerobic Exercise

Valiollah Dabidi Roshan

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anticancer drug. It has been shown that a short-term exercise performed prior to DOX-treatment has no effect on cardiotoxicity in young rats. In the present study, old and young rats were evaluated to determine the protective effects of pre-treatment with short-term exercise on DOX-induced oxidative damage in cardiac tissue.

Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of young and old, and later divided into three sub-groups of young+DOX, young+training+DOX, young+training+salin, old+DOX, old+training+DOX and old+training+salin. The training protocol included treadmill running for 25-39 min/day at 15-17 m/min, 5 days/week for three weeks. All treatments were carried out 24h after the last exercise bout. The rats were sacrificed 48h

after DOX administration.

Results: Although DOX injection significantly affected the cardiac tissue of old rats compared to young rats, pretreatment with endurance training in DOX-treated rats caused an increase in Heat shock protein (3.02% vs. 23.36) and superoxide dismutase (30.12% vs. 31.12), and a decrease in malondialdehyde (10.92% vs. 19.60) in both old and young rats.

Conclusion: Although DOX-induced production of free radicals and cardiotoxicity in aged rats is more than that in young rats, the short-term aerobic exercise reduced the damaging effects of free radicals in the old rats more than in young ones. The concentration of antioxidant enzymes also increases with exercise in the old rats compared to young rats.

Keywords: Cardiotoxicity, Doxorubicin, Oxidative Stress, Aerobic Exercise.

Effect of Different Salinity Levels on β-Carotene Production by Dunaliella Sp. Isolates from the Maharlu Lake, Iran

Keiwan Ebrahimi Mohammadi

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Microalgae are a group of algae that produce biochemical products consisting of a wide range of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins that are commercially valuable. Interest in microalgal cultivation is currently blossoming globally. Species of Dunaliella are found in freshwater, euryhaline habitats of all continents, oceans including the Dead Sea and even the salt lakes of the Antarctic. This study investigates the effect of different salinity levels on β-carotene production by Dunaliella sp.

Methods: Water samples from a hyper-saline lake (the Maharlu Lake in Shiraz) were cultured in modified Johnson media. The β-carotene content was measured after the samples were treated with different salinities (1, 2 and 3M NaCl).

Results: The cell count and β-carotene content of Dunaliella sp. samples ranged between 0.46×10⁶ to 2.12×10⁶ cell.mL^-1 and 0.15 to 9.98 pg.cell^-1, respectively. At the end of the experiments, the mean maximum cell content (1.78×10⁶ cell. mL^-1) and the highest mean β-carotene content (7.41 pg. cell^-1) were obtained at 2 and 3M NaCl concentrations, respectively.

Conclusion: Salinity of the medium might affect the quantity and composition of carotenoids in Dunaliella sp. isolates. Alteration of the culture medium’s salinity to 3M NaCl significantly increases the accumulation of β-carotene and total carotenoids in Dunaliella sp. isolates.

Keywords: Dunaliella, Microalgae, Maharlu Lake, β-carotene.

Prevalence of blaoxa-1 and blashv Genes in E. coli Isolates from Hospitalized Patients in Rasht

Mohammad Faezi Ghasemi

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) are widely produced by Escherichia coli strains. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of bla_OXA-1 and bla_SHVgenes in E.coli strains isolated from patients hospitalized in city of Rasht, Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 samples were collected from patients. The E. coli strains were identified using morphological characteristics and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed. The prevalence of the bla_OXA-1 and bla_SHVgenes in the E. coli isolated was assessed by PCR method.

Results: Overall, 160 E. coli strains were isolated. Of these, 83 (51.9%) showed ESBL activity while 71 (48.1%) did not. All positive strains were resistant to cephalothin. Moreover, 98.8% of ESBL-producing strains were resistance to amoxicillin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. The prevalence of the bla_OXA-1 and bla_SHVgenes in ESBL-producing strains were 45% and 17%, respectively. In addition, 28.9% of the strains had both genes while the genes were absent in 9.6% of the strains.

Conclusion: Prevalence of the bla_OXA-1gene is higher than that of the bla_{SHV gene}. The absence of both genes in some isolates indicates the possible role of other genes in the ESBL activity.

Keywords: Prevalence, ESBLs, Escherichia coli, bla_OXA-1gene, bla_SHVgene.